Modular container

ABSTRACT

The disclosure illustrates a container module adapted to be readily interconnected with a series of identical modules to form an array of containers that may be configured to standard forms suitable for use with standard handling equipment. The container has vertical structural corner posts having releasable latches adjacent their upper and lower ends to laterally interconnect the module with adjacent modules. Additional latches provide a vertical connection with other stacked modules. A number of specific latch arrangements are disclosed.

United States Patent 1 1 Wreghitt et al. July 31, 1973 MODULAR CONTAINER3,478,722 11 1969 Falcone et al. 220 234 Inventors: Kenneth w. gAndover; 3,546,753 12/1970 Lafont 220/15 Peter Shirley Pusey,Marblehead; FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 90ml Gilbert Mun",Chelmsford, 1,520,253 2/1968 France 220/97 R all of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Avco Corporation, Wilmington, Del. Primary ExaminerSamuel B. Rothberg Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus [22] May 1971Attorney-Charles M. Hogan, Gary M. Gron and Abra- [21] Appl. No.:143,758 ham Ogman [52] US. Cl 220/15, 220/234, 220/236, 1 7 ABSTRACT220/97 R The disclosure illustrates a container module adapted [51] Int.Cl B6511 87/00, B65] 1/02 to be readily interconnected with a Series ofidentical [58] Field of Search 220/l.5, 23.4, 23,6, modules to form anarray of containers that may be 220/97 R; 292/1 49; 287/18936 Rconfigured to standard forms suitable for use with standard handlingequipment. The container has vertical [56] References cued structuralcorner posts having releasable latches adja- UNITED STATES P E centtheir upper and lower ends to laterally intercon- 3,132,ss3 5/1964Tantlinger et al. 220/214 et the m ule ith adjacent modules. Additional3,144,141 8/1964 Tantlinger et a1 214/105 R latches provide a verticalconnection with other 3,306,487 1967 Gregoire l 220/ 1.5 stackedmodules. A number of specific latch arrange Fesmire Ct al. ments aredisclosed 3,092,282 6/1963 Tantlinger et a]. 220/ 1.5 3,163,306 12/1964Bennett et al. 220/15 18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 7 7 i l4. e '5 I p ri l7 I 1 PATENIEDJULB 1 I973 sum 1 or 4 I VENTORS KENNETH W. WREGHITTETER S. PUSEY DONALD G. MUNRQ I, I v/ ATTORNEYS PATENIEB JUL 3 I I973SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTORS KENNETH W. WREGHITT PETER S. PUSEY DONALD G. MUNR0 BY W M ,a y A ORM Pmmwma 1 ma 3.74927 3 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTORSKENNETH W.WREGHITT PETER s. PUSEY DONALD G. MUNRO BY M a, We

M ATTORNEYS PATENIEUJUI 31 I915 SHEEI 0F 4 INVENTORS KENNETH w. WREGHITTPETER s. PUSEY MODULAR CONTAINER The present'invention relates tomodular containers as in a ships container hold.

frequently requires a substantial holding time at a terminal while afull load for shipment is packed-from a number of partial loads.Furthermore, it is often necessary to unpack the container at some pointto unload one of the partial loads in the container.

All these factors greatly increase the bulk handling of the goods. As aresult, shipping time is increased in addition to the possibility ofpilferage and damage.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a modularcontainer that is readily integrated into a standard containerconfiguration of modular containers in such a fashion that all of thenormal loads placed on the containers can be adequately supported.

These ends are achieved by a container module of the above general typethat comprises a generally rectangular shell having structural verticalposts located at at least two of the vertical corners of the shell. Alatch means is positioned adjacent the upper and lower portion of thevertical posts for releasably laterally secur ing the post to the postof an adjacent container module. The releasable latch means is capableof resisting bending forces between the adjacent container modules.

The above and other related objects and features of the presentinvention will be apparent from a reading of the description of thedisclosure shown in the accompanying drawings and the novelty thereofpointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an array of container modules embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a number of container modules embodyingthe present invention and particularly illustrating latching means forinterconnecting them;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the posts and latchingmeans of the modules in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the latching means ofFIGS. 1 and 2 showing the position in which it is engaged to laterallysecure adjacent posts;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on lines 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective viav of illanother latching device forsecuring the modules shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of another latching device for securingthe modules shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7.

14 at its vertical comers. The base of each post extends beneath theshell 12 to form a recess 13. This permits four-way entry of fork lifttruck tines for lifting purposes. It is apparent to those skilled in theart that these posts may be shaped and sized to resist maximumanticipated compressive loads placed on the container when it is locatedat the bottom of a number of container module configurations stacked onone another,

I As shown particularly in FIG. 3, each post 14 has a recess 16 in itstop end which mates with a tab 18 formed in the bottom end of acontainer module that would be stacked on-top of the module. This alignsthe modules with one another and resists horizontal shear forces betweenthe upper and lower modules, for example, when a side load is placed onone layer of a series of stacked modules. The posts 14 have end caps and17 that conform to standard shipping container'specificationsestablished by various organizations, including the InternationalStandards Organization (ISO), American National Standards Institute(ANSI) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)..I-Ioles 19 in endcaps 15 and 17 enable the use of standard hooks or clevispinarrangements to lift the container modules or To connect the modules oneon top of another, latches, generally indicated by reference character20, are provided in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, these latches comprisetalever 21 pivotally mounted to the upper edge of the container and have asuitable overcenter latch 22 that may be engaged with a correspondingcatch 24 on the bottom of a container that would be stacked on topof thecontainer. These latches, as will be apparent to those skilled in theart, may be selected from any number of over-center latches that resisttensile loads. v g i To laterally secure the containers, latchingdevices, generally indicated by reference characters 26 in FIG. 1, areprovided adjacent the top and bottom of the. posts 14. These latches 26are positioned so that they transmit both bending and shear loads acrossmodule interfaces which result from lifting the array during handling.Detailed descriptions of alternate latching devices 26 will followbelow. In each case, however, the

latches comprise a fist element 25 on one post releasablyinterengageable with a second element 27 on an adjacent post. i

To achieve the maximum flexibilityiii tliepositioning of the containermodules 10 the latching elements 25, 27 are alternately positioned onthe posts 14. When viewing the upper corner module 10 of FIG. 1 in thedirection of the arrow A the element 25 is at the upper righthand cornerof post 14 and at the lower lefthand end of post on the same'wall. Theelement 27 is located in the lower right and upper left corners of thepost 14. This alternate arrangement of the locking components isrepeated for each wall of each module so that there is completeflexibility of the manner in which the container modules 10 are orientedwith respect to adjacent interconnected modules.

As shown in FIG. 4, a particular embodiment of the latching devicecomprises a beam 28 pivotally mounted to a sleeve 30 eccentric withrespect to a shaft 32 secured to upper and lower flanges 34 and 36,respectively, on post 14. Shaft 32 is retained in flanges 34 and 36 by anut 38 threaded onto its end. The free end of beam 28 contains a throughbore 40 that is adaptedto register with openings 42 and 44 in upper andlower flanges 46 and 48, respectively, of an adjacent post. A pin 50having a handle 52 is adapted to be releasably inserted through holes44, bore 40 and hole 42 to lock the adjacent posts by means of the beam28. Suitable detents 54 in the tip of pin 50 enable it to be held inplace. When the beam 28 is not used for interconnecting adjacent posts14 it is swung to the position-where bore 40 is aligned with holes 56and 58 in flanges 34 and 36, respectively. In this position pin 50 isinserted through the holes 58 and bore 40 and hole 56 to lock the pin inplace, as shown particularly in FIG. 3.

To compensate for misalignment between adjacent containers 10, shaft 32is rotated so that the center of sleeve 30 is displaced for a limitedextent relative to the openings 42 and 44 to enable the bore 40 to bepositioned in line with these openings. Once this is accomplished, thepin 50 may be inserted. To lock the latching device in this position alocking plate 62 having a knurled opening 64 is telescoped over aknurled sleeve 60 on shaft 32. The plate 6 2 has flat surfaces 66 thatabut the post 14 to prevent the locking plate 62 and the sleeve 60 fromrotating.

FIG. 6 shows Simsnmher'einsmeamsrstena mechanism for the containers.This arrangement comprises a conical nut 80 threaded onto a bolt 82which is secured to a post 84 journaled in a web 86 of one of the posts.Conical nut 80 is adapted to be registered with conical bores 88 and 90in adjacent posts. The size of the bolt 82 is such that it will passthrough a lateral slot 92 but the conical bushing will not. When theconical nut 80 is not to be used bolt 82 is loosened so that the conicalnut 80 may swing out through the slot 92 to a lefthand position where itis held in place by tightening the conical nut 80 to seat in a conicalrecess 94. When it is desired to use the conical nut 80 to lock adjacentcontainers the bolt 82 is loosened and the assem-, bly swung around sothat it seats in the open end of opening 90. The bolt is then turned topull the conical nut 80 into the recesses 88 and 90 and thereby hold themodules together.

F 7 and 8illustrate another lateral latching ar rangement. With thisarrangement a handle 95 is pivotally mounted to post 14 by boltassemblies 96. Ram die 92 has a pin 97 spaced radially outward from boltassemblies 96. Pin 97 provides a pivotal mounting for a hook 98 having anotch 100 which receives pin 102 mounted to extend across recess 104 inan adjac ent post 14'.

When it is desired to secure adjacent posts 14" handle 95 is swung awayfrom post 14" so that notch 100 of hook 98 may be engaged with pin 102.Handle 95'is swung back against the post 14" so that that overcenterfeature of pin 97 in handle 95 draws adjacent posts 14" together andholds them in place.

This arrangement causes adjacent modules to be drawn tightly together asthe handle 92 is swung over top dead center. It also permits substantialvertical shear forces to be transmitted between recess 104 and hook 98.

It is of course apparent that all of the latching devices discussedabove may be stacked in an alternating arrangement similar to thearrangement shown in FIG. 1 to achieve the same flexibility.

It should be pointed out that the invention is not limited to containermodules having vertical structural posts at four corners. For certainapplications the container modules may have two posts, one at each endof a vertical wall of the module. With this arrangement, in an array ofsuch modules the posts are located on the outside walls and the means ofsecuring adjacent modules remains the same. The posts, therefore,provide vertical support for the outside comers of the two modules whilethe lateral connections transfer the bending forces between the twocontainers. This permits a substantial reduction in weight for theindividual module.

All of the above latching devices permit ready and secure attachment ofcontainers into widely varying arrays. The location of the latchingdevices on the outer corners makes them highly accessible for inspectionwhile a configuration of containers is being made up.

Since the latching devices are located adjacent the top and bottom ofthe vertical posts, they can much more adequately take up the bendingloads that result when a configuration of the containers is picked up byeither the bottom or top of the outermost comers of the configurationwith standard lifting equipment. In addition, the devices all cansupport substantial shear loads at the joints between the containers.The arrangement "of FIG. 6 is particularly advantageous forthis purposelsince the conical nut transmits all the shear and the bolt transmitstensile stresses.

The modular containers described above enable a substantial improvementin the efficiency with which goods are handled. These container modulespermit source to destination transportation without further bulkhandling of the goods. This greatly minimizes the possibility ofpilferage or other damage to the goods. in addition the modularcontainers may be readily incorporated into standard container sizes forease in handling and shipping.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as novel and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A container module comprising:

a generally rectangular shell; structural vertical posts forming thevertical sides of one wall of said shell; latching means for releasablylaterally securing said container module to a like adjacent module, saidlatching means comprising an upper set of first and second elementspositioned adjacent the upper ends of said posts and a lower set offirst and second elements positioned adjacent the lower ends of saidposts, the first elements of each set being releasably laterallyinterengageable with the second elements of each set to secure togethersaid container module and said adjacent module against both tensile andshear forces between said modules. l 2. A container module as in claim 1wherein said posts have recesses receiving said first element when it isinterengaged with said second element for resisting shear forces betweenadjacent modules.

3. A container module as in claim 1 wherein: said first elements in saidsets are adjacent the upper end of one post at one comer of said walland adjacent the lower end of the post at the opposite corner of saidwall, respectively;

whereby the latching means permits flexibility in con- I necting withsimilar means on adjacent container modules.

4. A container module as in claim 1 wherein:

the first element of said latching means comprises a beam having athrough bore and pivotally mounted to one of said posts; and

the second element comprises at least one flange with at least oneopening and a pin adapted to be fitted through the opening and said boreto releasably secure the container.

5. A container module as in claim 4 wherein said latching means furthercomprises a central shaft journaled to said post, a sleeve secured tosaid shaft and eccentric with respect to the axis thereof, said sleeveforming a journal for said pivotal element whereby said sleeve may berotated to laterally position the pivotal element for a limited extentto align the bore with the opening in said flange.

6. A container module as in claim 5 wherein said latching means furthercomprises a knurled bushing secured to said eccentric sleeve and alocking element adapted to be telescoped over said sleeve and abut the,second element comprises a generally conical bore formed in said postand adapted to be aligned with a conical bore in an adjacent postwhereby the bolt is tightened to releasably secure the posts inalignment;

whereby the conical element resists a substantial shear load across thejunction of said post with an adjacent post and the bolt resists thetensile forces caused by bending.

8. A container module as in claim 7 wherein said conical bushing ispivotally mounted to the upper corner of one post at one end of a walland to the lower corner of a post at the other end of the same wall.

9. A container module as in claim 1 wherein:

said first element comprises a handle pivotally mounted to one of saidposts and a hook pivotally mounted on said handle, the pivotal mountingfor said hook being spaced from the pivotal mounting of said handle;

said second element comprises a pin engageable by said hook whereby thehandle is rotated to pull adjacent posts together.

10. A container module as in claim 8 wherein said handle is pivotallymounted adjacent the upper end of one post at one comer of said wallandadjacent the lower end of a post at the other corner of the same wall.

11. A container module as in claim 9 wherein said posts have recessesreceiving said handle and hook when it is interengaged with said pin forresisting shear forces between adjacent modules.

12. A container module as in claim 1 including four posts, and wherein:

sets of first and second elements are on all faces of the module;

each post has a face incorporated in adjacent walls, each post havingthe first element of said latching element on the upper face of the postincorporated in one wall and said second element of said latchingelement on the lower portion incorporated in the same wall, said posthaving the second element of said latching means on the upper portion ofthe face incorporated in the adjacent wall and the first element of thelatching means on the lower portion of the face incorporated in theadjacent wall;

whereby the container modules may be integrated in any orientation intoan array of modules.

13. A container module as in claim 1 further comprising latching meansfor releasably attaching said container modules stacked on top of orbeneath said container module, thereby resisting horizontal shear loadsbetween said stacked container modules.

15. A container module as in claim 1 leaving four vertical postsextending beneath the generally rectangular shell to form a recesspermitting four way entry of means for lifting the container module.

16. An array of container modules comprising: a plurality of generallyrectangular shells, each shell having at least two structural verticalposts on the corners of said shell; and latching means for releasablysecuring said posts to adjacent container modules, said latching meanscomprising an upper set of first and second elements and a lower set offirst and second elements positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends,respectively, of said posts, at least one of said first elements in oneshell releasably interengaged with at least one of said second elementson said second shell to resist tensile and shear forces betweencontainer modules.

17. An array of container modules as in claim 16 wherein said first andsecond elements are positioned in alternate patterns on said postswhereby the array of container modules may be positioned.

18. An array of container modules as in claim 17 further comprisinglatching means for vertically releasably securing the modules wherebysaid modules may be vertically stacked.

1. A container module comprising: a generally rectangular shell;structural vertical posts forming the vertical sides of one wall of saidshell; latching means for releasably laterally securing said containermodule to a like adjacent module, said latching means comprising anupper set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the upperends of said posts and a lower set of first and second elementspositioned adjacent the lower ends of said posts, the first elements ofeach set being releasably laterally interengageable with the secondelements of each set to secure together said container module and saidadjacent module against both tensile and shear forces between saidmodules.
 2. A container module as in claim 1 wherein said posts haverecesses receiving said first element when it is interengaged with saidsecond element for resisting shear forces between adjacent modules.
 3. Acontainer module as in claim 1 wherein: said first elements in said setsare adjacent the upper end of one post at one corner of said wall andadjacent the lower end of the post at the opposite corner of said wall,respectively; whereby the latching means permits flexibility inconnecting with similar means on adjacent container modules.
 4. Acontainer module as in claim 1 wherein: the first element of saidlatching means comprises a beam having a through bore and pivotallymounted to one of said posts; and the second element comprises at leastone flange with at least one opening and a pin adapted to be fittedthrough the opening and said bore to releasably secure the container. 5.A container module as in claim 4 wherein said latching means furthercomprises a central shaft journaled to said post, a sleeve secured tosaid shaft and eccentric with respect to the axis thereof, said sleeveforming a journal for said pivotal element whereby said sleeve may berotated to laterally position the pivotal element for a limited extentto align the bore with the opening in said flange.
 6. A container moduleas in claim 5 wherein said latching means further comprises a knurledbushing secured to said eccentric sleeve and a locking element adaptedto be telescoped over said sleeve and abut the post to prevent rotationof said eccentric Sleeve.
 7. A container module as in claim 1 whereinsaid first element comprises a conical element threaded onto a boltpivotally supported by one of said posts and said second elementcomprises a generally conical bore formed in said post and adapted to bealigned with a conical bore in an adjacent post whereby the bolt istightened to releasably secure the posts in alignment; whereby theconical element resists a substantial shear load across the junction ofsaid post with an adjacent post and the bolt resists the tensile forcescaused by bending.
 8. A container module as in claim 7 wherein saidconical bushing is pivotally mounted to the upper corner of one post atone end of a wall and to the lower corner of a post at the other end ofthe same wall.
 9. A container module as in claim 1 wherein: said firstelement comprises a handle pivotally mounted to one of said posts and ahook pivotally mounted on said handle, the pivotal mounting for saidhook being spaced from the pivotal mounting of said handle; said secondelement comprises a pin engageable by said hook whereby the handle isrotated to pull adjacent posts together.
 10. A container module as inclaim 8 wherein said handle is pivotally mounted adjacent the upper endof one post at one corner of said wall and adjacent the lower end of apost at the other corner of the same wall.
 11. A container module as inclaim 9 wherein said posts have recesses receiving said handle and hookwhen it is interengaged with said pin for resisting shear forces betweenadjacent modules.
 12. A container module as in claim 1 including fourposts, and wherein: sets of first and second elements are on all facesof the module; each post has a face incorporated in adjacent walls, eachpost having the first element of said latching element on the upper faceof the post incorporated in one wall and said second element of saidlatching element on the lower portion incorporated in the same wall,said post having the second element of said latching means on the upperportion of the face incorporated in the adjacent wall and the firstelement of the latching means on the lower portion of the faceincorporated in the adjacent wall; whereby the container modules may beintegrated in any orientation into an array of modules.
 13. A containermodule as in claim 1 further comprising latching means for releasablyattaching said module to an upper or lower module whereby the modulesmay be vertically stacked.
 14. A container module as in claim 13 furthercomprising interfitting tabs and openings on said vertical posts forinterengagement with tabs and openings on container modules stacked ontop of or beneath said container module, thereby resisting horizontalshear loads between said stacked container modules.
 15. A containermodule as in claim 1 leaving four vertical posts extending beneath thegenerally rectangular shell to form a recess permitting four way entryof means for lifting the container module.
 16. An array of containermodules comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular shells, eachshell having at least two structural vertical posts on the corners ofsaid shell; and latching means for releasably securing said posts toadjacent container modules, said latching means comprising an upper setof first and second elements and a lower set of first and secondelements positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends, respectively, ofsaid posts, at least one of said first elements in one shell releasablyinterengaged with at least one of said second elements on said secondshell to resist tensile and shear forces between container modules. 17.An array of container modules as in claim 16 wherein said first andsecond elements are positioned in alternate patterns on said postswhereby the array of container modules may be positioned.
 18. An arrayof container modules as in claim 17 further comprising latching meansfor vertically releasably securing the modules whereBy said modules maybe vertically stacked.